Compound implement



June 18, 1940 l.. J. WHITNEY COMPOUND IMPLEMENT Filed Deo. 27, 1937 5 More specifically, the present invention conembodied in lock-releasing implements of simi- 5 110 key portion being part of the body of the writcharacter, and it is desirable, in the interest of 10 i515 employed in Writing. another important object of this invention conl When it is desired to effect release of a lock for when it is stored and not in use, to cause re- 20 VM! the type which may be readily carried in a elements, one effective upon insertion of the im- 26 Patented June 18, 1940 I `UN'TED STATES PATENT OFFCE COMPOUND IMPLEMENT Lewis J. Whitney, Springville, Utah n Application December 27, 1937, Serial No. 181,962

3 Claims. (Cl. 1209) This invention relates to compound implements proper displacement of tumblers. Of course, the and more particularly to that class having sevapplicability of the present improvement is not eral functions including cooperating parts servconned to the specific lock structure disclosed in ing the several functions. the aforementioned patent as it may be readily cerns itself with the cooperative combination in larly releasable lock structures.

an implement which may serve as a key for ef- Since graphite lead normally' projecting from fectively releasing a lock and which may altera mechanical pencil, unless retracted, is readily nately serve as awriting implement if desired, the subject to breakage due to its normally brittle ing implement and providing features usefully reducing operating or use costs to the user, to serving as a portion of the operative part of the conserve the lead as much as possible, at the same implement as a writing implement while at the time allowing for the element of human error, same time being effective as an aid to a user when namely resultant from carelessness or negligence,

In conjunction with the primary function of cerns itself with the provision of mechanism authe combined implement, it is contemplated to tomatically responsive to normal acts on the provide a ready mounting for a key part whereby part of a user, that is, when the implement is the part is susceptible of readier accessibility employed in its primary function as a key or which the key part is specially suited. This featraction of the lead within the pencil barrel so ture is preferably accomplished by associating that it will not be accidentally broken or sheared the key part as an effective part of a readily portoil under these conditions. This object is accomable implement such as a mechanical pencil of plished preferably by the .provision of cooperative pocket, purse, brief-case, or the like. Essentially, plement in the key-way of a lock and the other in carrying out this feature, it is desirable that upon insertion of the implement into a pocket the implement be simple, uncumbersome, pracwhere it is to be secured in stored position to tical and durable, yet retainingits special charthe pocket Wall or flap, or perhaps to a partition lacter without material alteration or detraction in a pocketbook or brief-case or the like.

from its conventional practical attributes. Con- Then too, since the implement is primarily sequently, there is combined in one instrumentaldesigned for use as a key, and locks include varity the desirable features of several, each being ious tumbler combinations to provide for security independent upon the other in carrying out its against accidental or unnecessary duplication, '35 individual function. In a more specific sense, the the present invention contemplates the provision 35 key portion assumes a dual role in that, while it is of an arrangement permitting of ready interessentially a key, it is concurrently a vital porchangeability of key bits so that the barrel and 'tion of the writing implement. Preferably, the protruding operating part may be of standard or concomitant attributes are resultant primarily uniform construction for production purposes, from the function of the effective lead protruding While the bitting combination for any particular 40 end of a mechanical pencil as a muzzle for a porlock may be readily accommodated. It is, theretion of the lead projecting mechanism and also fore, a further object of this invention to provide serving as a key bit. lnv this, then, resides the amechanism embodying this feature.l primary object Of this invention. In carrying out the feature of key hitting, the While it is conceivable that a device embcdyinvention also embraces another important aspect 45 ing the basic principles of this invention is in that the characteristic bitting selected, also capable of cooperative association with a vast serves as an advantageous nger grip when the number of locking mechanisms, it is preferably implement is employed as a Writing tool. Consedesigned for use with a locking mechanism of the quently, this is another important object atcharacter disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. tributable to the present invention. 50 2,077,728 granted me under the date of April 20, Other and further features of novelty and ob- 1937. In such patented structure, release of the jects will more readily appear from the following locking mechanism is effected by a simple longidetailed description of several preferred emboditudinal projection or insertion of a key in a ments of the invention illustrated in the aecomkey-way, such translation of the key causing panying drawing in which: I 55 Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view through a lock embodying certain of the essential features shown in the above noted patent, showing a key of the character contemplated by this invention in applied position;

Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged section taken substantially along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a reduced exterior view of the combined implement shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of a modification in which six ridges are used.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section showing in greater detail, the connection between the clip and lead carrying guide for advancing or retracting the lead tip from and into the muzzle.

Referring more particularly to the details of the drawing and especially to Fig. 1, there is cisclosed one application of the invention in its Abroader aspects in its employment for releasing the tumblers of a loci?. ci the character more specically described in the above referred to patent, only brief reference being here made to the lock feature details. The lock mechanism is shown applied to a door 2i) and comprises a lock essentially like that shown in my prior patent No. 2,977,728, except for a slight modiiication of the tumbler control elements, the lock being shown in released condition. Since the particular' lock structure is of no import as rsgards the essence olf this invention, sufiice it to say that the pins or pusher-s l5 have been replaced by screw 5l having associated therewith at their inner ends anti-friction balls 58. Otherwise, the structure is identical, reference to the description relating to my aforesaid patent, will clearly indicate the operation of the lock.

The releasing instrumentality in this case com-- .prises the muzzle end Sil of a mechanical pencil having certain novel attributes described hereinafter. This muzzle 6; comprisesa body part tapering preferably though not necessarily, and

- havin; extending longitudinally radialiy therefrom a plurality of circumierentially spaced ridges -I which are suitably elevated and depressed to be effective as bitting. The larger end of the muzzle is formed with a reduced externally threaded part E2 which is adapted be threaded into the end of a per1^il barrel The inner portion of the muzzle Gi] is formed with an axial bore Sd in which is adapted to reciprocate a lead bearing sleeve or guide G5 having a suitably split and inwardly swaged outer end GG (see Fig. 3) adapted to frictionally grip a lead il as it is advanced therethrough for retention in iixed relation as against normal, inexcessive pressures which may be applied to the effective end of the lead when the pencil is employed in writing. This gripping action is reinforced by the -frictional engagement within the guide E5 of amanually operable pusher element G8 comprising a suitably externally serrated thumb-piece 59 formed into a T-shaped part by reversely bending a strip of strap material providing two legs it and il, the former longer than the latter'and terminating in a curled portion "l'l axially shiftably carried in the guide 85 by accommodation of its contour thereto. Guide 55 is formed with an open side i3 and a radially outwardly directed baille 'ifi whichl extends over substantial ypart of the guide and normally is disposed substantially midway of a longitudinally'extending slot 'l5 in the barrel 33. The legs 70, il of the thumb-piece G9 embrace the baffle 'I4 so that the latter serves as a track for the thumb-piece and since the thumb-piece fairly fills the slot '15, the guide is adequately reinforced against lateral shifting.

The inner end of the guide 65 is further reinforced by a bearing sleeve 16 which is maintained within the barrel for reciprocation by a pair of set-screws 'il extending through a slot 'I8 (see Figs. 1 and 6) whereby the guide may be projected from and retracted into the muzzle upon axial shift thereof. This shift is preferably accomplished by the set-screw heads seating firm- 1y in holes provided for the reception thereof, in the shank 'i9 of a spring clip 8U, the forward end of which is formed with a stop lug 8 l, the purpose of which will be presently explained, the other end being preferably reversely bent to provide a clamp 82. Intermediate the clamp and secured part of the clip, it is formed with a concave bead 83 adapted to cooperate with a recess 80. in the pencil barrel, whereby the clip is retained in fixed relation to the barrel when in the position shown. It will be evident that when the pencil muzzle is inserted into the key hole in the spindle 3|, the stop lug 8l will engage the end of the spindle causing the clip and associated guide 65 to be axially shifted to the position shown in Fig. 1 whereupon the lead carrying end of the guide will have been withdrawn into the protective confines of the muzzle 5D. Likewise, if the pencil be inserted in a pocket with the clip in engagement with a partition, continued lpush on the pencil will cause the clip to be shifted carrying the protruding end of the lead within the muzzle. To further aid in the retention oi' the guide, and therefore the lead, in projected position against pressure when used in writing, the bead 83 on the clamp f:S2 will engage the shoulder 85 formed at the juncture of the barrel and the magazine.

Additional leads 8S may be stored in the space between the guide 55 and inner wall of barrel 63 as best shown in Fig. '7 and access to this storage space for loading it may be had by removing the muzzle or by retracting thumb-piece 89 to its limit where it may be moved out of the rmain slot "I5 into a lateral notch 8l' whereupon the extra leads may be inserted through slot '15.

When it is desired to reload the guide G5 fas-f suminOA a previously used lead has been advanced to its limit throughl muzzle Gc), thumb-piece G9 is withdrawn to its limit and the barrel is held horizontally and rotated about its axis until a new lead -is dropped into the guide. Advance of the thumb-piece then advances the new lead to a position against the inner end of the previously used lead. Thus, a lead may be used until it is practically entirely worn away in writing because of its being followed by a succeeding lead as a pusher. In reloading the guide 65, the thumb-piece serves as an indicator as to the proper disposition of the opening '13, thereby assuring rotation of the barrel to proper position. Then too, at the time a new lead is dropped into the guide G5, the slot iii faces upwardly so that no succeeding lead will be lost from the storage chamber therethrough. Obviously, when the thumb-piece is advanced along the slot l5, accidental passage of a succeeding lead therethrough is effectively blocked.

Thus far, it will be evident that the muzzle @il serves a dual purpose, namely, that of a key, and a guide and protector for the lead-carrying guide of the pencil.

The illustrated embodiment is therefore not intended to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention except as indicated by the appended claims.

The invention having been fully disclosed in conformity with the laws relating thereto, What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An implement of the 'character illustrated comprising a tubular body, a writing lead-carrying guide mounted for axial movement within Said body towards one end thereof, means on the exterior of said body and connected to said guide whereby said guide may be axially shifted for projecting it from and retracting it into said body, and a muzzle associated with said body and serving as a bearing for said guide, said muzzle including exterior ribbing adapted to be employed as bitting for a lock, means associated with said exterior means adapted to cooperate with a lock when the implement is employed as a key and adapted to serve as a limit stop for the key upon insertion of the muzzle into the lock and responding to insertion of the muzzle into the lock to retract said guide whereby the lead carried by said guide is automatically Withdrawn to safeguard the lead from damage;

2. A compound tool of the character described comprising a main body portion, a movable element projectable from said body portion to provide an operable implement, an attachment adapted to be associated with said body portion to constitute an extension thereof and a guide for said element, said attachment having means on its exterior which may be configurated to be employed as a key, means associated with said body portion providing an exterior stop limiting movement of said tool when inserted into a lock in its capacity as a key, and means so connecting said stop means and said element as to impose retracting movement thereto into said body portion prior to complete application of the attachment in its capacity as a key.

3. A compound tool of the character described comprising a main body portion, a movable element projectable from said body portion to provide an operable implement, an attachment adapted to be associated with said body portion to constitute an extension thereof and a guide for said element, said attachment having means on its exterior which may be configurated to be employed as a key, means associated with said body portion providing an exterior stop limiting movement of said tool When inserted into a lock in its capacity as a key, and means so connecting said stop means and said element as to impose retracting movement thereto into said body portion prior to complete application of the attachment in its capacity as a key, said exterior means on said attachment serving as a convenient nger grip when the tool is employed to effect use of said element in its independent capacity when the tool is not used as a key.

LEWIS J. WHITNEY. 

